Former world number one Tiger Woods has pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational as he continues to recover from a back injury.

He released the following statement: "Unfortunately, due to ongoing rest and rehabilitation on my back, I won't be able to play in this year's Arnold Palmer Invitational. I'm especially disappointed because I wanted to be at Bay Hill to help honor Arnold. This is one event I didn't want to skip.

"Arnold has meant so much to me and my family; I thought of him as a close friend, and Sam and Charlie were both born in the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. He will be greatly missed and can never truly be replaced. 

"Presently, I have no timetable for my return to golf, but my treatments are continuing and going well." 

Sadly missing the 2017 API. I really wanted to be there. My best wishes to the Palmer family & everyone at Bay Hill. https://t.co/xkbvfohcxA

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 9, 2017

The fourteen time major winner had hoped to start the year with a full schedule to get used to playing on tour again but his return was cut short with back-spasms.

He must now be considered a doubt to play the first major of the year, the US Masters, at Augusta in less than a months time.